Congratulations, Graduates! Judge Memorial Catholic High School

IC photo/Laura Vallejo

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SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City’s Abravanel Hall opened its doors to welcome the Judge Memorial Catholic High School Class of 2018 as they celebrated their commencement exercise on May 27.

The invocation was given by Holy Cross Sister Catherine Kamphaus, associate superintendent of Utah Catholic Schools; Sophia Cordova of the Class of 2018 gave the greeting.

In his salutatorian address, Raymond Yang expressed his gratitude to his teachers, the school staff, classmates and the people that attended the commencement ceremony.

“To my family, your lessons in diligence have been invaluable,” he said. “To the faculty of Judge Memorial Catholic High School, your patience with our class has been incredible. I hope you found it worthwhile. To the staff of JMCHS, thank you for keeping our school organized when we could not. And to my friends and peers, especially to the families of Jacqueline Muffler and Eric Hall, thank you for your guidance.”

He based most of his remarks on a quote from Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s book “Gift from the Sea” that had been given as a prompt on his college board exam: “We tend not to choose the unknown which might be a shock or a disappointment or simply a little difficult to cope with.”

The exam asked students to consider the value Lindbergh places on choosing the unknown and to write an essay developing a position on the value of exploring the unknown, Yang said.

“Answering this was simply ridiculous,” he said. “I have spent most of my life believing that when we encounter an obstacle, we choose not to take the comfortable step back. When given the opportunity, we strive forwards and take this adventurous step. Because, in these moments we find out who we are. No matter how clichéd this may seem, it is the truth,” Yang said.

Principal Patrick Lambert, in his remarks, talked about the countdown to graduation day.

“Many of you said that you have had a countdown that started at the first day of your senior year,” he said. “We each have the tendency to have these countdowns. Always looking ahead to the next major event in our lives. ... But what about tomorrow? What about the day after? Can we find joy in the next 24 hours? Did we find joy in last 24 hours?” he asked.

The year “may have seemed daunting or seemingly endless at times,” Lambert said, “but it is truly astounding how far encouraging the person next to you may help to lighten their load. As your community of support, we feel that you are ready. As a school, we feel that you are prepared to take on the next challenge. That is why we are so proud to offer you a Judge Memorial Catholic High School diploma.”

Encouraging the graduates to meditate daily on their goals and the things they are grateful for, Lambert concluded his remarks to start the presentation of graduates and the conferral of diplomas, followed by the rite of the changing the tassel.

The valedictory address was delivered by Anna Shum, who is a state swimming champion. Shum based her remarks on her experiences as a swimmer and her belief in God.

She shared how the death of one of her dear friends changed her and helped her understand life from a different perspective.

“For better or for worse, PJ’s death changed me in a way I couldn’t explain, in a way that helped me understand that my life was a transient gift,” she said.

Shum then shared the Blaise Pascal argument that all humans bet with their lives on whether God exists, and said, “Through my trials and tribulations during high school, I came up with my own wager:” that people can either believe in God’s divine plan or can live their lives in constant regret over the things they’ve done and the things that have happened to them.

Quoting Paulo Coelho, “You drown not by falling into a river but by staying submerged in it,” Shum concluded, “It is time to metaphorically swim; or, in my case, it’s time to literally quit swimming. Embrace your past, and use it to fuel your actions in the future. Leave Judge knowing that your accomplishments and setbacks have not been in vain, and be prepared to change.”

JMCHS Scholarship Awards

Demi Candelaria Scholarship Award: Sophia Ewing, Katherine Bellew

Alumni Alliance Scholarship Award: Madelyn Bossarte, Oriandy Molina, Dominguez Ishmael, Elliott Molina-Zepeda

The Linda Simpson Scholarship Award: Pauline Simonson

The First Ascent Scholars Program Scholarship Award: Christopher James, Fredrick Okongo

The Blessed Oscar Romero Scholarship Award: Shayla Cendejas, Marisela Garcia, Davit Harutyunyan, Kimberly Padilla, Carin Reeves

Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald “Champion of Youth” Award: Phil and Marjorie Start

Class of 2018 First Honors

These top ten graduates are recognized for achievement in A.P. and Honors courses.

Isaac Guynn, Eric Hall, Erica Maggelet, Mary Malouf, Anthony Robinson, Zachary Shubella, Anna Shum, Thomas Silas, Meredith Trentman, Raymond Yang

Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City Award for Outstanding Scholar 

Participant in Activities: Eric Hall, Meredith Trentman

Participant in Athletics: Anna Shum, Zachary Shubella

Linda Simpson “Bulldog of the Year” Award  for Outstanding Dedication in Extra-Curricular Activities: Casey Randazzo and Sophia Cordova

Jeanette Sawaya Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts, Academics & Athletics: Sophia Kennedy Overfelt, Christopher James

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT 

Eric Hall